A new feature film, Moors, is officially in development, aiming to bring long-overdue cinematic attention to the Black warriors who helped reshape Europe during the 827 A.D. conquest of Sicily.
The film follows Tariq, an ambitious young fighter who becomes part of a tight-knit group of Black soldiers drawn into a high-stakes campaign against the Eastern Roman Empire. Their actions spark a cultural shift that leads to two centuries of Moorish rule in Sicily — a chapter of global history that’s often overlooked on screen but central to the film’s narrative.
The script is penned by writer Chaz Hawkins and is based on an original story by producer Damien Douglas, who initiated and developed the project over nearly two decades. Director Roel Reiné — known for work on Halo, Black Sails, and films like Classified and Hard Target 2 — is attached to direct.
The creative team is positioning Moors as a sweeping sword-and-sandals epic that places Black heroes at the front of their own story, rather than in the background of someone else’s mythology. The film aims to carve out space within a genre that has historically sidelined Black characters, reframing an era in which they held significant power and influence.
Douglas is producing the film through his Movies By Misfits banner, alongside Hawkins and Matt Macur (The Dutchman). Casting efforts are underway, with production expected to begin in 2026 across Sicily and Tunisia. The team is planning a visually rich, high-impact world that highlights both the scale of the conquest and the emotional depth of the characters at its center.
With Moors, the filmmakers aim to reclaim a major historical moment while giving it the same cinematic sweep often reserved for other ancient-era sagas. The project marks a rare opportunity to see Black warriors leading a large-scale historical epic — and it signals a shift in the stories being told at this level in Hollywood.
More details, including casting announcements and production updates, are expected as development continues.
Originally read on Deadline.